Better Lovers : "Highly Irresponsible"

 

This band finds ex-members of Every Time I Die teaming up with Greg Puciato.  Their EP "God Made Me an Animal" was more spastic than what is going on here. We gave it a 9, so it was a solid affair even given the temper tantrums. This time they are more deliberate in their songwriting. The opening track is almost anthemic, perhaps from playing the festival circuit they are seeing what fans respond to. Aside from Greg's unhinged performance, it is similar to the bulk of modern metal. "Your Misplaced Self" is more explosive but owes more to Slipknot than the Locust. The first song works better, but it has a reckless rock n roll fun. 

"A White Horse Covered in Blood" is another one that has a more driving rock feel to it. This is almost like back when Nick was in Queens of the Stoneage. Greg's vocal style still owes a great deal to Mike Patton. Future Myopia" but it feels like a Mudvayne song to my ears, though I doubt they are knowing to flirt with nu-metal unless they are feeling the pulse of the rock festival crowds to the point it is making them contrived. The album is darker than the EP, it is also more melodic. Greg is beginning to sing more than scream again. It works well on "Deliver Us From Life". There is an impressive rock star guitar solo.  It is surprising how different this album is, but I am not going to fault them for trying, harder as it's pretty effective. 

The riff going into "Drowning in a Burning World" feels like AC/DC  though the song is a return to the spastic style that marked the ep. "Everything Was Put Here For Me" is another feral rock jam that has a chaotic attitude without being punk.  "Superman Died Paralyzed" rages a little more than the previous song.  "At All Times " finds melody returning again. It is almost a power ballad and would have fit on 90s radio. "Love as an Act of Rebellion" is almost more of a hardcore song which should not be surprising given their backgrounds. I will give this album a 9, as I am not sure how much I am actually going to listen to this as I already have a great deal of stuff like this to some extent so, will see how it grows on me, but I appreciate the effort and look forward to seeing how this translates live.